There was jubilation from residents along Hermitage Lane in Barming this week as they learned that their much-lived Bluebell Wood will be taken into public ownership.

Country lovers and dog walkers have enjoyed strolling through the woods for decades, but that pleasure seemed to come under threat a few years ago, when property developer Croudace obtained the land as part of a much wider site for house-building.

Residents fought the the subsequent housing application tooth and nail but could not stop permission being granted.

The permission allowed Croudace to construct a road through the ancient woodland, but did require the company to conserve the remainder of the woodland to the specification laid out on a detailed landscape and ecological management plan.

Instead, Croudace has offered to gift the woodland to Maidstone council and has agreed to make a contribution towards its future management.

Members of the council's policy and resources committee, meeting on Wednesday25, voted unanimously to accept the offer,

Cllr Dan Daley (Lib Dem) told the committee: "The residents will be mightily relieved to know that they have the wood in their possession. This is ancient woodland and its soil is of great importance."

Cllr Diana Lewins (Lib Dem) said by accepting ownership of the land, the council would be able to ensure the future biodiversity of the site.

Cllr Paul Harper (Lab) said the wood was already heavily used by the public and would be even more heavily used once Croudace had completed building its houses.

Cllr Tony Harwood (Lib Dem) said he hoped it would set a precedent and that the council might look to acquire more public space elsewhere it the borough. He suggested Lilk Meadow in Bearsted as a possibility.

Only Cllr Matt Boughton (Con) had any qualms, stating that accepting the land would bring a financial risk to the council, but even he voted in favour after learning that officers were confident of securing funding from Croudace sufficient to look after the land for at least 15 years.

Barbara Woodward, secretary of the New Allington Action Group (NAAG) said afterwards: "We are pleased with this result which shows that NAAG's five-year fight to save the woodland was not in vain. However, the fight is not over. A beautiful ancient woodland like this should never have a major road carved through the middle and we still oppose using this wood to access a landlocked field for further development."

Cllr James Willis (Lib Dem) said: "Now we need to set up a Friends of Bluebell Wood group to ensure this precious community asset is preserved for future generations."